Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Bech pushes a vending machine cup at Cappelli. “What’s she saying?”

Cappelli hooks a thumb into a pocket “Never gets any fucking better does it? Denying everything of course. Says she’s being framed.”

Bech barks a laugh. “Of course. Just another victim of a tragic miscarriage of justice.”

“Aren’t they all? Still, looks like that lawyer of hers is going to get her sprung. Bail’s set high but the judge is allowing it. No previous. And it looks like they share a school tie.”

Fuck!

“Who is he? He looked pretty high-class to be the legal for a hooker.”

“Theo Aldred. Subs for Max Devlin. From Hofferman and Partners…”

“Hofferman’s? The prosecutors on the Romani Family case?”

“Yup. Don’t envy him that one. They’ve got all the wits under protection and the judge and lawyers have full surveillance.” Cappelli sucks at the coffee, pulls a face. “Stone-cold… You’re right though. You’d not think he’d turn up for the likes of that one would you?” He tilts the cup at Bech. “I’m going to the machine for another. Want one?”

“Thanks, but no. I’m off in five.”

*****

So, the bitch got herself sprung…

Back in his apartment, Bech paces, curses, bangs his fist on the wall. Then…

The blindingly fuckin’ obvious…

He checks the card index,

And sure enough…

Maximillian Devlin. Lawyer. Married twice. Son by previous.

One daughter by current marriage - favourite topic of conversation. Likes rabbits and pink. Got a pony. Gymkhana. Head girl at Ponterbury.

*****

Michael

a moment as I take in stone arches and vaulted ceilings, then brain-cells line up in good order and

but when I listen, there

take a good look at my Sleeping Beauty. She’s looking better than she

Her father…

Christ…

has lost that sallow hue, and her cheeks are

Babe…

line of high cheekbones with a fingertip.

I see Charlotte… my Charlotte…there. Not the stranger who looked out at me for the last few days, but my beautiful wife; my copper-haired, emerald-eyed,

touch

face, “How

eyes are soft and watery. “I’m fine. Really, I’m fine now.

sorry for. I don’t think any of us would have reacted well to learning what you did.” Tracing a curved brow with the pad of my thumb. “Sometimes life throws shit at us, knocks us down. There's no sin in falling over. Only in

dropping her gaze, she

better state than that if you really want to get yourself pregnant.” Her eyes lift again, widening. “Do you? That’s still what you want? To give James

Her voice is a whisper.

That’s what I said when we talked about it. It’s fine. Just so long as I

hers. Her hand curves around the back of my head. “Thank you.” She

I pull away, holding her gaze. “But I never went away. I never will go away…” She sighs.

“You

a bed when you’re not in it with us? He

to disappoint you there.” James holds a tray. The scents of toast and

and she sits bolt upright. “God, I’m starving. Did you bring

James grins. “She’s back.”

*****

Twenty-Six Years Ago